This man wants to break the Guinness World Record for holding the most world records | CBC Radio

Most toilet paper rolls balanced on the head. Most marshmallows caught in the mouth. Most kiwi fruits sliced in the air with a sword in one minute whilst standing on a Swiss ball.

Those aren’t just aspirations — they’re Guinness World Records, and only some of David Rush’s record claims. 

Some of the record-breakers’ other title claims include fastest time to arrange a chess set, most T-shirts put on in 30 seconds, and most juggling catches while on a balance board blindfolded. 

The Boise, Idaho, native says being goal-oriented and pursuing those goals “with a passion” has helped him achieve his world record titles. 

Rush made headlines when he broke 52 records in 52 weeks back in 2021. Since then, he’s broken more than 150, including one on ABC’s LIVE with Kelly and Ryan, where he was recognized for the most marshmallows caught in the mouth with a home-made catapult in one minute.

Now, Rush is trying to bring home the ultimate title: the Guinness World Record for the most concurrently held Guinness World Records — a title currently held by Ashrita Furman, who holds more than 200 records. 

Rush even challenged Furman on his YouTube channel Record Breaker Rush, where he films himself breaking records.

But does announcing that goal put a bit of a target on his back? 

Rush says it might, but he welcomes the challenge. 

“If you make your goals public so that other people know what they are, not only could there be another serial record breaker trying to break your records, but they can also be supportive of you,” he told As It Happens. 

“And you know people are cheering you on. You don’t want to let them down.”

Breaking records brings a sense of accomplishment unlike any other, he says, especially the ones that take the most effort. 

“The harder ones are the ones I’m the most proud of,” said Rush. “And then I’m always working on the easier ones that take maybe just a few weeks of practice to knock out to increase that number.”

A competitive streak 

Rush said his competitive nature has been with him since childhood.

Growing up with two older brothers, he was used to winning second place in games and sports. 

Today he said he has to “dial it back so that the family and friends can have fun with me when I’m playing board games and things like that.” 

“I’ve got it under control when I need to. But when it comes to Guinness World Records titles, I’m still all out.” 

WATCH | Rush breaks the record for fastest time to topple 10 cans with a squirt gun

According to Guinness World Records spokesperson Kylie Galloway, Rush represents all that Guinness World Records “strives to encourage.”

“We believe that joy comes from discovery, empowerment comes from giving your all and happiness comes from sharing your passions,” she said. 

“David Rush embodies these qualities and we look forward to seeing the records he will achieve in the future.” 

In order to reach his goal for concurrently holding the most Guinness World Records, he’s been practicing breaking more obscure records, including the most bites taken out of three apples in one minute while juggling and the fastest time to bounce five ping pong balls in five glasses. 

Rush says he won’t necessarily pause on his record-breaking feats if he earns this title, but he’ll take some time to bask in the glory for a little while. 

“There have been a couple other serial record breakers who’ve just come out recently and said [they] want to hold the most concurrent world records,” he said. “And so, I’m going to have my work cut out for me to hold on to this title for a while.”